HARTLEPOOL have decided not to appeal against goalkeeper Scott Flinders’ sending off in the FA Cup tie with Stevenage.

Flinders was controversially shown a straight red card in the eighth minute by referee Mark Heywood for bringing down Chris Beardsley in the penalty area.

Scott Laird converted the subsequent spot-kick - the game’s only goal - and Pools boss Mick Wadsworth said afterwards he was considering launching an appeal.

But Wadsworth has since told the club’s official website, hartlepoolunited.co.uk: “I feel very sorry for Scott because we did feel Neil Austin had got back into a position to get the ball.

“But I felt we were very harshly dealt with over the Bournemouth incident (when Pools were fined for failing to control their players in September’s away game) and if we stick to the one-game ban this time we know where we are.”